WAMC: What Are My Chances

[AcronymAllergy]

---

Members do not see this ad.

MOD NOTE: Merged Corona21's thread into WAMC

 

[Corona21]

Oh dammit! Thank you for that added perspective Psychadelic. Nope, I do not work there, so that is certainly a downer. Your comments have only confirmed that I must certainly not keep my focus on getting in there, and look at other potential programs as well. Sigh!

 

[Dirkwww]

I am going to be a junior in my undergraduate years

Getting a BA in Psychology

Minor in sociology i believe and possibly criminal justice or counseling

Psych GPA:4.0

Undergraduate GPA. 3.84

Clinical experience: I work at a autism sunrise therapy program where I engage in weekly therapy sessions with autistic children and I am involved in monthly progress meetings. (1 years, and i might do it another semester) I also plan to take a service learning class in a clinical setting in the spring.

Research experience: I worked as an RA in a social psychology lab as a sophomore for a semester, where i did not do much except for open the door and let people in. But.......... I have worked every summer(full time) for the past 2 summers at a psychiatric research center where i have got my name published on a paper(6th author) in a journal that is the leading journal in the field and the lab has a great reputation in the field. I could get my name on 1 or 2 more by the end of the summer. In this lab I also have been able to shadow clinical interviews and see the clinical side of research that relates to mental health disorders. I also am going to be a RA in a new lab when i return to campus for the spring. So far, by the end of the fall i will have about 2 years of research experience, and could have another by the time i apply.

LOR: I have 2. One from a professor at my campus who had helped me shape my career path a lot and knows my personal work i have put in. Another from a MD,PHD, Professor and psychiatrist i work with at the research lab.

EXTRA: PSI CHI Member, deans list for the past few semesters, involved in a service group whose goal was raising money for a project in Ecuador(two semesters), a peer support group on campus that is sponsored and works through the psychological counseling service of the campus

Have not taken the GRE yet, need to start thinking about that.

I am looking most likely at getting a Psy.D hopefully from a university so i can get funded.
My questions are.
How do i look so far going into junior year?
Do you guys see anything lacking that i need to fix up or add over the next year?
I dont have the strongest classes for math classes (but i did get a A+ in stats and research psych), but should i rule out PH.D programs?
thanks

 

[psych for path]

.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I am going to be applying to PsyDs in clinical at very competitive schools (Rutgers, Baylor, etc), and want to know what you all think...

-3.62 undergrad GPA from top ranked liberal arts college
-158Q, 164V GREs; 730 Psych subject test
-6 months undergrad research w/clinical psych prof
-1.5 (to be 2) years paid full time research coordinator in behavioral med lab
-1 publication (5th author of 6 🙁), 1 publication under review (3rd author of 5), hopefully 1 first author poster at big conference...
- Letters of rec: 1 stellar from undergrad dean/mentor, 1 probably very good but very standard from PI at lab, last undecided, but will be a strong one from one of my psych profs
- clinical: summer internship w/SPMI outpatient clinic, and my RA job is very clinical (albeit not w the population I want to work with)

Will definitely be applying to:
-Rutgers
-CW Post
- Yeshiva
- St. John's
- DePaul (Clinical and community PhD)
- Baylor
- Suffolk (PhD)

Want to stay in Northeast, so any program suggestions are welcome as well 🙂

I'm horrible at interpreting the new GRE scores, but based on everything else, both you and the post above yours (by Dirkwww) seem competitive to me. I'd actually suggest you both consider applying to more Ph.D. programs than you're currently thinking about (that suit your interests, of course) if for no other reason than the opportunity to receive funding.

 

[psych for path]

Thanks for your response! Percentages for GRE:

Q-78%, V:94%, Subject:87%

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Thanks for your response! Percentages for GRE:

Q-78%, V:94%, Subject:87%

Appreciated. Then yep, my post above still stands. I'd imagine you'd likely be competitive at more than a couple funded Ph.D. programs, assuming there's adequate fit in research and clinical interests.

 

[Dirkwww]

I'm horrible at interpreting the new GRE scores, but based on everything else, both you and the post above yours (by Dirkwww) seem competitive to me. I'd actually suggest you both consider applying to more Ph.D. programs than you're currently thinking about (that suit your interests, of course) if for no other reason than the opportunity to receive funding.

Thanks, is there anything you think is should work on over the summer, besides my current work at a lab.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Thanks, is there anything you think is should work on over the summer, besides my current work at a lab.

If you're planning on taking the GRE within the next few months, I'd go ahead and just start studying now. Slow, gradual, and consistent studying/learning is the best way to go on that thing (by and large).

Otherwise, nothing immediately springs to mind, although other posters can feel free to chime in and offer their input as well.

 

[Brian1]

Sorry if this should belong in the WAMC thread but I thought I'd post this here.

I recently graduated wit ha 3.59 GPA in a Clinical and Counseling Psychology Masters Program.
I took the GRE two years ago and scored a total of 860.
I have previous research exp, and currently I am a co-author for research that will be presented at a conference. I will soon start my own research which hopefully will be presented as well.

My ONLY issue is the GRES, like many people. So does the GRE matter a bit less for someone who has proven they can perform well at the graduate level?

Thanks!

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Sorry if this should belong in the WAMC thread but I thought I'd post this here.

I recently graduated wit ha 3.59 GPA in a Clinical and Counseling Psychology Masters Program.
I took the GRE two years ago and scored a total of 860.
I have previous research exp, and currently I am a co-author for research that will be presented at a conference. I will soon start my own research which hopefully will be presented as well.

My ONLY issue is the GRES, like many people. So does the GRE matter a bit less for someone who has proven they can perform well at the graduate level?

Thanks!

You can certainly compensate for a lower GRE score via other measures of performance (e.g., GPA, research experience). However, many/most programs are going to have official and unofficial cut-offs, with the former usually being 1000 (old scale), and the latter generally being closer to 1100/1200 (again, old scale). With a score of 860 combined, unfortunately, you may not make it past the first series of applications cuts at many schools. Also, while schools will look at your grad GPA, they will still place some weight on undergrad GPA as well, which is something to be kept in mind.

I'd definitely recommend studying up for, and retaking, the GRE to see if you can get closer to the equivalent of at least an 1100 on the old scale. Easier said than done, I know, but it's one of those cold-and-hard realities of grad school admissions.

 

[Brian1]

You can certainly compensate for a lower GRE score via other measures of performance (e.g., GPA, research experience). However, many/most programs are going to have official and unofficial cut-offs, with the former usually being 1000 (old scale), and the latter generally being closer to 1100/1200 (again, old scale). With a score of 860 combined, unfortunately, you may not make it past the first series of applications cuts at many schools. Also, while schools will look at your grad GPA, they will still place some weight on undergrad GPA as well, which is something to be kept in mind.

I'd definitely recommend studying up for, and retaking, the GRE to see if you can get closer to the equivalent of at least an 1100 on the old scale. Easier said than done, I know, but it's one of those cold-and-hard realities of grad school admissions.

Yea I went through all the schools I will apply to and checked out what they said about the GRES. Most say that there is no official cut off point, but generally their students score around 600s on each section. Some say that they do not have cut offs and that they review all applicants, and very few I saw said they cut off at 1200.

I have already emailed the professors I am interested in, and will email them again later on just to make sure they are accepting students. So hopefully they can keep a lookout for me when app season comes around.

My undergrad GPA was a 3.8 psych and 3.6 total. Research, internship, community service exp all in undergrad. So that may help as well. Also the research was with the current Dept Head so that might be worth something.

Also I am starting a Sexton course this week for the GRE. I never heard of it but its based out of Farleigh Dickinson U. and they go over everything on the GRE for a full month. It can only help!

 

[psychmusic]

I've posted on here a few times, but as the application season is starting to ramp up, I thought I'd ask for some input again.

School: Small fairly well respected liberal arts college
Major(s): Psychology, Music
Concentration: Biological Psychology
Programs: Honors (including senior honors thesis)

GPA: 3.92 (3.93 psychology)
GRE: Taking in August, last practice test I got 162 quantitative and 155 verbal

Research: 3 years in a Cognitive Neuroscience lab working on a few projects related to memory and a few related to addiction. I have worked on one project very consistently for my time in the lab, but it isn't in the area I'm interested in studying.

1 year in working on a project department of addiction psychiatry at the nearby medical.
school.

The weakest point in my application would be not having any publications or posters. I have presented my research four or five times at poster sessions in my own school but I don't know if that counts.

I will write an honors thesis this year

Clinical Experience: I have worked with addicted populations consistently through my work at the medical school

One summer working as a Direct Support Professional in a group home for extremely severe cases in my state

Schools:
(I'm interested in Clinical Neuropsychology- vague, but I really do plan on applying only to those schools with a POI whose research genuinely matches what I want to study)

My top choices are also some of the very top schools in the field:
SDSU/UCSD, BU, UC Boulder

I'm searching for some lower schools to consider as well

I think my major question is whether its even worth applying this time around (especially to those three I listed). Most of my advisers at school tell me not to bother, and to get an RA position instead. I may also apply to some masters programs like Villanova's as a back up.

 

[Brian1]

I've posted on here a few times, but as the application season is starting to ramp up, I thought I'd ask for some input again.

School: Small fairly well respected liberal arts college
Major(s): Psychology, Music
Concentration: Biological Psychology
Programs: Honors (including senior honors thesis)

GPA: 3.92 (3.93 psychology)
GRE: Taking in August, last practice test I got 162 quantitative and 155 verbal

Research: 3 years in a Cognitive Neuroscience lab working on a few projects related to memory and a few related to addiction. I have worked on one project very consistently for my time in the lab, but it isn't in the area I'm interested in studying.

1 year in working on a project department of addiction psychiatry at the nearby medical.
school.

The weakest point in my application would be not having any publications or posters. I have presented my research four or five times at poster sessions in my own school but I don't know if that counts.

I will write an honors thesis this year

Clinical Experience: I have worked with addicted populations consistently through my work at the medical school

One summer working as a Direct Support Professional in a group home for extremely severe cases in my state

Schools:
(I'm interested in Clinical Neuropsychology- vague, but I really do plan on applying only to those schools with a POI whose research genuinely matches what I want to study)

My top choices are also some of the very top schools in the field:
SDSU/UCSD, BU, UC Boulder

I'm searching for some lower schools to consider as well

I think my major question is whether its even worth applying this time around (especially to those three I listed). Most of my advisers at school tell me not to bother, and to get an RA position instead. I may also apply to some masters programs like Villanova's as a back up.

Since we are both applying to two different types of psych programs idk how helpful I can be but I'll try.

Seems like your a great candidate. If possible try to get some submissions to some conferences. That could only help you since research seems to be the number one thing most programs care about.
Also Idk if you know this already but you should be applying to professors rather than programs in a sense. The best match will get you into a program rather than just applying to a school like for undergraduate.

Best of luck!

 

[quiet storm]

This is my first post, and I want to get a PhD in developmental psychology and become a professor and do research, but with my history it seems really risky.

School: Small and respectable schools with a research focus (BA) and the other, a liberal arts (MA)
Major(s): Psychology (BA), Education (MA)
Concentration: Early Childhood Education (most of which focused on young children's development), Children with Special Needs (MA)
Programs: I was in the regular undergrad program for my Bachelors, in my Master's program, I elected to take extra courses because I needed and wanted the challenge

GPA: 2.5 overall 2.8 in the psych major (undergrad); 4.0 in the MA degree program.
GRE: Have not taken it yet, but plan to begin studying for both the general GRE & the psych subject test GRE.

Research:

-I took 1 lab course in family processes and did well (B), an an independent directed research study under a prof, in which I did really well in undergrad (A-), but I just helped with the data collection and wrote an unpublished paper (that I don't even have anymore, so I can't even count it in my CV)
-1 recently published master's thesis in the special education field and accompanying thesis conference presentation, which was double to triple the length of my peers theses, which was informally considered "PhD lite" by many of my profs, and I've been encouraged to get some parts of it out for journal publications as well as present it at a conference next year, though it's in the education field.
-I did a naturalistic observation study for my psych class as part of my Master's degree, but I'm not sure that counts
-I have an opportunity to work as a RA in a lab this summer + next year working directly with one of my former profs (unpaid, but valuable experience) including the opportunity to publish and do conference presentations, among other things research-related (I would just have to find some kind of paying work to sustain myself otherwise outside of that)

Schools:
I'm interested in a wide variety of reputable schools that offer a PhD in developmental psychology, preferably a research university

Recommendations: I'm not worried about being able to get really good recommendations from the profs in my MA program

I went to a GREAT school for psych undergrad and made getting into a clinical PhD program my goal, and learned that I was a much better fit for developmental psychology than clinical psychology. I had great research opportunities to take advantage of, and I'm really sorry that I didn't do more in that undergrad program, I could have been a RA for much longer and I don't have any contacts with the program from my Bachelor's degree because I was such a poor student. It was also a really difficult time in my life, several of my family members had serious illnesses and so I just didn't bother to do anything in my undergrad, really. I just recently earned a Master's degree 7 years later and came out of the program with top notch grades, and a little more research experience, and a little TA experience, but not enough to be competitive for a PhD program in developmental psychology. Every single one of the faculty I had for my MA degree thinks I need to be going for a PhD. I've overcome a lot of adverse circumstances, I'm fairly young (30), and I have the opportunity to do research (even after my MA) now that I did not get in my BA experience- I went to a really small school for my MA and am local so I can maintain good working relationships with faculty. Is it worth it now to get that research experience now in the lab for a year or so, and study for my GRE's and then apply? I'd like to be more optimistic, but with a BA in 2005 (which I barely even deserved), and a MA in 2012 (which represents a total 360 in academic performance from my undergrad), I'm sure there are some red flags that are going to be raised. I know that some programs want nothing but research from undergrad, and not having so much of that, will getting that research experience in the lab now help my applications considerably?

 

[KatrinH]

Hi. I am interested in a clinical PhD program.

- School: small private liberal arts university (not the greatest psych department, no research school)
- Major: Psychology
- GPA: 4.0 cumulative (will graduate in December after 3 1/2 years)
- GRE: will be taken at the end of August
- Dean's List every semester, honor student, and graduating with Honors

- Research: I have taken a basic and advanced research methods course which required completing our own studies (surveys mostly due to lack of financial support; not a research university) and will be doing a senior thesis fall semester 2012.
This summer I am completing an 8 week practicum in product and marketing research.
I presented at 2 conferences (great plain's student psych conference and alpha chi superregional conference) and will present again in november. I am also looking into maybe publishing one of my papers in an undergrad research journal or something like that.

- Other:
Psi Chi & Alpha Chi member
President of Psych Club 2011-2012
Secretary of Psi Chi Fall 2012
Volunteered at large conference in San Francisco
Practica: Veterinarian (in 06), therapeutic horseback riding (09), horse farm (09)
Worked for grounds keeping on campus for 3 years

I am currently looking into different schools to apply to and am not sure yet exactly what will be a good fit as I am not clear yet on my research interest (though I think I'd like to do something in terms of research on different therapy forms and interventions, program development, etc.). I also plan on working from January 2013 until July/August 2013, hopefully with either a research or clinical focus. Do you think I have chances of getting into a good program? (I feel that I lack experience, but I am an international student and am thus not able to work outside of school so it is difficult to attain any more experience than I have). Thank you!

 

[porgie]

-

 

[applyingtograd]

I just graduated from undergrad with a major in psychology. I applied to 12 clinical programs during my senior year and did not get into any. I am planning to take a year off and do research and reapply. I am wondering what else I can do this year to increase my chances. Should I retake the GRE, etc...?

GRE:
verbal: 570 (estimated current score: 158)
math: 720 (estimated current score: 156)
analytic writing: 3.5
subject: 760

GPA:
overall: 3.89 (summa cum laude)
psychology: 4.0

Research experience:
Research intern in a clinical setting affiliated with a university
currently working on a paper with one of the psychologists at the clinic (will be under review at the time of application)
RA for a social psych professor
honors thesis with the same social psych professor; poster presentation of thesis
working on a research project on trauma with a social worker

Clinical experience:
volunteer intern at the same clinic I am doing research with

Relevant coursework:
intro psych
honors abnormal psych
univariate
statistics (a math course)
experimental psych
psych testing and measurements
biopsychology
neurobiology of learning and memory
child psych
adolescent psych
into to social psych
honors social psych

THANKS!

 

[roubs]

I just graduated from undergrad with a major in psychology. I applied to 12 clinical programs during my senior year and did not get into any. I am planning to take a year off and do research and reapply. I am wondering what else I can do this year to increase my chances. Should I retake the GRE, etc...?

Did you get interviews, if so, how did they go?

Also, what kind of schools did you apply to? Were all 12 very top tier or a mix?

 

[applyingtograd]

I didn't get any interviews, but I think they were all top 50 schools. Should I apply to a broader range of schools next time around?

 

[roubs]

hould I apply to a broader range of schools next time around?

That will always help. I'm surprised you didn't get interviews with your stats and experience. Retaking the GRE couldn't hurt given that you have room to improve your verbal and writing scores. Did you have an advisor read and give advice on your personal statement?

 

[applyingtograd]

I did have my advisor and a couple of other professors look over it...

 

[FacelessMage]

Hey everyone,

I'm a Canadian psychology student (just graduated) looking to apply during the 2012-2013 cycle to MA and PhD programs in clinical psychology (forensic) in both Canada and the US.

Stats:
Degree: BSc in psychology (first class honours)
Cumulative GPA = 3.71
Psychology GPA = 3.95
GRE general = 610V (now 160), 680Q (now 153), 4.5A
GRE psych = 730 (87%)
Publications/conferences: None so far, just submitted a manuscript for review, so we'll se how that goes (I'll be first author on it if things go good). One poster presentation.

Research experience: 3 years in different labs, doing everything (project design, filling out ethics forms, participant recruitment, data collection, data entry, coding, data analysis, writing stuff up). I've also completed an honours thesis. Only one lab did clinical research in eating disorders (the other two were animal behaviour and I/O respectively), but my thesis was in the field of forensic clinical.

Letters of recommendation: Got three so far. One from my thesis supervisor, one from my second thesis reader who I also took several classes with, and the last from the PI in my current lab.

Volunteer stuff: Was Vice President of my school's psychology society for 3 years. I've also been doing crisis response/peer support at my school's women's centre for 2 years. I've also tutored for a couple of psychology classes.

Do you think it's worth a shot applying?

 

[roubs]

Hey everyone,

I'm a Canadian psychology student (just graduated) looking to apply during the 2012-2013 cycle to MA and PhD programs in clinical psychology (forensic) in both Canada and the US.

Stats:
Degree: BSc in psychology (first class honours)
Cumulative GPA = 3.71
Psychology GPA = 3.95
GRE general = 610V (now 160), 680Q (now 153), 4.5A
GRE psych = 730 (87%)
Publications/conferences: None so far, just submitted a manuscript for review, so we'll se how that goes (I'll be first author on it if things go good). One poster presentation.

Research experience: 3 years in different labs, doing everything (project design, filling out ethics forms, participant recruitment, data collection, data entry, coding, data analysis, writing stuff up). I've also completed an honours thesis. Only one lab did clinical research in eating disorders (the other two were animal behaviour and I/O respectively), but my thesis was in the field of forensic clinical.

Letters of recommendation: Got three so far. One from my thesis supervisor, one from my second thesis reader who I also took several classes with, and the last from the PI in my current lab.

Volunteer stuff: Was Vice President of my school's psychology society for 3 years. I've also been doing crisis response/peer support at my school's women's centre for 2 years. I've also tutored for a couple of psychology classes.

Do you think it's worth a shot applying?

Yeah, I think your stats and exp make you a competitive applicant.

 

[fearoffailing]

Hi everyone,

I am not applying for PhD programs just yet, but I will be in the future, so I wanted to ask this.

I am kind of in limbo right now. I'm starting an accelerated MA program in developmental psychology, and I will complete that along with my BA in psychology after 2 years.

I have worked a total of 2 years as a research assistant in both a clinical and a developmental lab, and I will be doing a thesis in developmental.

I was not required to take the GRE, as I was accepted directly into the master's program at my university, so I really haven't got any scores.

I've been volunteering with an elementary school pen pal program and at a children's hospital through a student organization for the past 2 years (this will be my 3rd year).

If I keep my GPA at 3.5 or above and take both clinical and developmental courses, do you think I'd have a shot at getting into a clinical PhD program in the US?

Again, this is hypothetical for now, but I'm just trying to do a little planning. Thanks for your help! 🙂

 

[sweetcaroline24]

I posted on here a couple months ago, but I wanted to get another opinion before I begin my application and relay some information on the POI's I've been in contact with.

I'm going to be a Senior in the fall, so I'll be applying for the PhD in Clinical Psych during the 2012-13 application cycle.

Stats:
BA in Psychology and Political Science (from a mid-tier state university)
GPA: 3.97
Psych GPA: 4.0
I'll be taking my GRE's in July, although my practice tests have shown me scoring in the 90th percentile for Verbal, and about the mid 70's for Quantitative.

Research Experience:
-1 1/2 years experience in a Depression Research and Treatment Lab, working as an RA. I'll also be completing my Senior Thesis this fall, looking at the moderating effects of gender on depressive and aggressive responses to interpersonal stress.
-I'll also have a years worth of experience in a lab that focuses on public health issues. Yet the current study were running is looking at physical activity as an alternative to marijuana use, so it does have some clinical relevance. This fall we'll be concluding our data collection, so hopefully I'll be getting some recognition in the poster presentations (nothing major, probably 4th or 5th author), but at least going to a conference will be a good experience
-This summer I'm also volunteering at a psychological gene and epidemiology lab at a medical university. I'm actually in the midst of creating my own project, taking a look at the risk that certain single nucleotide polymorphisms may present in the future development of substance abuse disorders. I'll be writing a short paper on my results, but I'm unsure of whether this will lead to any sort of presentations or publications.

Mainly I'm just worried about my lack of presentations or publications. I really find it hard to accomplish such a thing when you're only an undergrad, so hopefully programs will just look at the efforts I've made in other areas of research, like that fact that I've been a member of three different labs.

Clinical Experience:
I also have some clinical experience, as I've worked for a Crisis Service program for the past nine months. In just a few weeks time, I'll be receiving my certification from the DOH, certifying me as a Domestic Violence Counselor. I also completed an internship this past Spring, where I worked with a School Psychologist in a high needs urban district.

As far as my actual research interests, I've been looking at those programs and POI's that focus on the study of anxiety disorders. I especially have an interest in those that are exploring mindfulness and acceptance based treatment patterns. There seems to be very few that I found, so if anyone has any suggestions I'd be extremely grateful.

Also for all of you applying this fall, be sure to contact your POI in advance to make sure they're accepting students. I've actually contacted 14 programs but only 8 of them are accepting students, or some simply haven't decided. Better to contact them beforehand then to apply and waste your money with absolutely no chance of getting in.

So here's my current list, again any suggestions would be great!

-Central Florida
-Rhode Island
-North Carolina
-Nevada at Reno
-Colorado at Boulder
-George Mason
-Albany
-Penn State

For any of you that are interested, the POI's that I was interested in at SMU, Illinois at Chicago, and Stony Brook will not be accepting students, so feel free to message me and I can give you their names.

 

[Mgrace]

Hi all,

I will be a senior in the fall and am hoping to apply to some more practice-oriented (or equal orientation) clinical Ph.D. programs rather than solely research based programs.

These are the schools I'm planning on applying to, and I will most likely be adding more in the hopes of increasing my chances.

U of Illinois-Chicago
Indiana State University (Psy D)
U of Iowa
Loyola U-Chicago
U of Minnesota
Northwestern U- Feinberg School of Medicine
Purdue
U of Texas
U of Wisconsin- Milwaukee

I am really interested in anxiety disorders, as well as eating disorders and substance abuse. I'm hoping to do treatment as well as treatment outcome research.

GPA- 3.62
Psych GPA- 3.64
(From a big ten school. Will do my best to get a 4.0 both semesters in order to raise these)

I have not yet taken the general or psych GRE's, but will be taking them in September or October. I have already begun preparing for them and am hoping to do the best I can.

As far as experience goes, I will have worked for two years as an undergraduate research assistant. This year I will be taking on a managerial position within the lab, as well as hopefully working on some projects. One letter of recommendation will likely be from the lead professor of the lab, and another will be from a professor within the lab who I will have had for two classes as well.

The third letter will likely be from the nursing manager at the psychiatric unit of the hospital I currently volunteer at. I am one of three volunteers on the unit, and the only one during my specific time frame. I will have volunteered there for two years and been given a good amount of responsibility as well as real life experience.

I know I still have a lot of work ahead of me, but was hoping to see if I stand a chance! I know how extremely competitive these programs are. Thanks for your time.

 

[Jeina]

If your goal is to attend a more balanced program, then you should re-work your list. UIC, U Iowa, U Minnesota, Northwestern, Purdue, U Texas, and U Wisconsin are all clinical science programs. These programs want to produce researchers and are among the most competitive. Admitted applicants at these types of programs often have 1+ years of full-time research experience (in addition to undergrad) plus presentations and/or pubs.

Mgrace mentioned Northwestern-FEINBERG, which is a balanced program (the other Northwestern campus is the research-intensive one). Other than that, I completely agree with your comments about re-thinking some of these schools.

 

[roubs]

Also I think UW-Milwaukee is substantially more balanced than UW-Madison.

 

[dumbledoresgirl]

Also I think UW-Milwaukee is substantially more balanced than UW-Madison.

It definitely is. I interviewed at UW-Milwaukee, and their program is very balanced.

 

[srl413]

Hi everyone!

Not sure if this question is meant for this thread, but I'll try. I have wanted to get my doctorate in clinical psychology for a long time and have been following a pretty direct path towards that goal since uncergrad. I majored in clinical psychology undergrad, graduated and got a job as a clinical research coordinator in a psychology research lab, and am just wrapping up my first year at the job. I've done clinical internships, a senior honors thesis, and taken the GREs. My original plan was to apply this fall for entry into school Fall of 2013. However, recently I have been thinking about taking another year before applying. I would really like to live abroad at some point in my life and have some new experiences before starting down the long road towards a doctorate degree. My question is, if I take a year off before applying to live abroad would it hurt my chances to get into school?

My tentative plan is to work at this job for one more year (its a two year position) and save enough to live the next year abroad. Abroad, I would try to arrange for a part-time job. I would also try to find a researcher whom I could do volunteer research with, hopefully in my specific area of interest (child psychology, specifically resilience and/or trauma-- I feel like this may be easier because I personally do have a lot of experience doing research and also I would be offering free time). If I wasn't able to arrange that I would try to find a clinical center where I could volunteer (usually very easy to do, especially since I have past experience).

I would love to know if this sounds crazy of reasonable! Thanks

 

[Bill3613]

I'm applying to the following Clinical Psychology Programs

1. LIU CW POST-
2. Hartford-
3. U Rhode Island-
4. Albany
5. Yeshiva-Clinical Health
6.U Maryland Balt County
7. Adelphi U
8. Deleware
9.Armed Services Clinical Psych
10. Boston School Proff Psych
11. Umass
12. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Clinical Psychology
13. Temple
14. LIU Brooklyn
15. Loyola MD
16. Chestnut Hill College

and the following counseling programs

Counseling Programs
Hofstra
St Johns
Pace

Credentials

Undergraduate Binghamton University 3.5 overall graduated with Honors in History
MA General Psychology 4.0 gpa

GRE V-620
GRE-Q 620
Writing-4.5

Research

Internship at Psychiatric Hospital- worked on a chart review project

Currently I am a clinical trial coordinator, I am coordinating two trials, and in the process of obtaining grant funding for an additional project.

I think my research experience could be better and my quant score as well, however, what do you guys think? Be honest, lay it on me!!!!!!

 

[futureapppsy2]

I'm applying to the following Clinical Psychology Programs

1. LIU CW POST-
2. Hartford-
3. U Rhode Island-
4. Albany
5. Yeshiva-Clinical Health
6.U Maryland Balt County
7. Adelphi U
8. Deleware
9.Armed Services Clinical Psych
10. Boston School Proff Psych
11. Umass
12. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Clinical Psychology
13. Temple
14. LIU Brooklyn
15. Loyola MD
16. Chestnut Hill College

and the following counseling programs

Counseling Programs
Hofstra
St Johns
Pace

Credentials

Undergraduate Binghamton University 3.5 overall graduated with Honors in History
MA General Psychology 4.0 gpa

GRE V-620
GRE-Q 620
Writing-4.5

Research

Internship at Psychiatric Hospital- worked on a chart review project

Currently I am a clinical trial coordinator, I am coordinating two trials, and in the process of obtaining grant funding for an additional project.

I think my research experience could be better and my quant score as well, however, what do you guys think? Be honest, lay it on me!!!!!!

I have to admit, I'm a bit confused by your list. You have everything from the heavily research-focused PhDs (Temple, maybe URI?) to very clinically focused PsyDs (Chestnut Hill, PCOM), and everything in between. Your app to Temple is going to look very different from your app to Chestnut Hill, and they're going to look for very different things. Also, do you mean the Massachusetts School of Professional Psych? I've never heard of "Boston School of Professional Psych." It seems you might be applying by geography? While it's unavoidable in some cases, it's generally not the best idea unless you get really lucky with research match and/or aim for programs (usually unfunded PsyDs, with some exceptions) where research match doesn't matter as much.

Your research experience looks good. Is it in your area of interest? Any conference presentations or publications?

 

[philosophage]

Hello,

I plan to apply to the Clinical Neuroscience/Neuropsych. Ph.D. programs at the following schools, though I'm not finished preparing my list:

Vanderbilt
UF (clinical researcher emphasis)
Harvard
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Rutgers
Princeton

This is my second time applying; the first time I applied in the Fall of my senior year and I was selected as a high alternate for UF's neuropsych. program with the researcher emphasis, but I ultimately wasn't selected.

GRE
V: 650
Q: 600
AW: 4.0
Psych. Subject: 730 (91st percentile in Exp. Psych., 86th percentile in Social Psych.)

Cumulative GPA: 3.46
Psy. GPA: 3.60 (As in Statistics, Psychopharm., Biopsych., Clinical Psych.)

I've attached an anonymous CV with my research and work experience. What do you think my chances are? I appreciate your help!

 

[nessa34]

My question is, if I take a year off before applying to live abroad would it hurt my chances to get into school?

My tentative plan is to work at this job for one more year (its a two year position) and save enough to live the next year abroad. Abroad, I would try to arrange for a part-time job. I would also try to find a researcher whom I could do volunteer research with, hopefully in my specific area of interest (child psychology, specifically resilience and/or trauma-- I feel like this may be easier because I personally do have a lot of experience doing research and also I would be offering free time). If I wasn't able to arrange that I would try to find a clinical center where I could volunteer (usually very easy to do, especially since I have past experience).

I would love to know if this sounds crazy of reasonable! Thanks

I don't think going abroad would hurt your chances, but I would make sure your plan to stay involved in research/clinical work is feasible where you're going. Universities are structured very differently depending on the country and it may be substantially harder to get an in, even as a volunteer. Language competency may also be an issue if you are looking for clinical work. If you have a country picked out, and know that you can find opportunities there and deal with the language barrier, though, then go for it and have fun 🙂

 

[neuroabigail]

Hello.
This is my 5th year applying to the Clinical Psych Program. I'd love to know what I'm doing wrong. I took the GRE 8 times in order to raise my score, took a Kaplan Preparatory course and it hasn't helped. My first language is not English so that might be a problem, but if they filter me out by my score they don't even get to read my explanation in my personal statement. I assume that's why I haven't even gotten an interview.
Credentials:

Undergrad GPA: 3.89
Grad GPA: 3.78 (M.S. Neuroscience)
Psych GPA: 4.0

GRE: 1120; 5.0 Analytical

Research Experience: Undergraduate Honors Thesis; 2 years RA at Yale University school of Medicine; 2 Years Clinical Research Specialist at University of Baltimore; 1 poster presentation HBM; 1 oral presentation TBI symposium; 4 Journal articles (2- 2nd author 1-1st author)

Clinical Experience: Mental health Center; career counselor and extensive clinical day to day experience with the family of trauma patients in present position

I want to study mostly stress, anxiety and emotion.

Schools I'm applying.
Phd Counseling

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
University of Notre Dame
University of Florida

Phd Clinical Psych

University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
American University
George Mason University
George Washington University
University of Delaware
Penn State University
Virginia Commonwealth University

I also have a couple of PsyD programs, but only as back-ups.

Any help. I MEAN any help. would be appreciated.

 

[futureapppsy2]

Hello.
This is my 5th year applying to the Clinical Psych Program. I'd love to know what I'm doing wrong. I took the GRE 8 times in order to raise my score, took a Kaplan Preparatory course and it hasn't helped. My first language is not English so that might be a problem, but if they filter me out by my score they don't even get to read my explanation in my personal statement. I assume that's why I haven't even gotten an interview.
Credentials:

Undergrad GPA: 3.89
Grad GPA: 3.78 (M.S. Neuroscience)
Psych GPA: 4.0

GRE: 1120; 5.0 Analytical

Research Experience: Undergraduate Honors Thesis; 2 years RA at Yale University school of Medicine; 2 Years Clinical Research Specialist at University of Baltimore; 1 poster presentation HBM; 1 oral presentation TBI symposium; 4 Journal articles (2- 2nd author 1-1st author)

Clinical Experience: Mental health Center; career counselor and extensive clinical day to day experience with the family of trauma patients in present position

I want to study mostly stress, anxiety and emotion.

Schools I'm applying.
Phd Counseling

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
University of Notre Dame
University of Florida

Phd Clinical Psych

University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
American University
George Mason University
George Washington University
University of Delaware
Penn State University
Virginia Commonwealth University

I also have a couple of PsyD programs, but only as back-ups.

Any help. I MEAN any help. would be appreciated.

Your research experience and publication record is *great* for this point in your career and that should really help you. What is your Q/V breakdown on the GRE?--schools may be willing to give more leeway on verbal scores for non-native English speakers. Have you taken the TOEFL?

 

[nessa34]

I want to study mostly stress, anxiety and emotion.

That's a big set of topics. Are your research interests more focused? Are there specific people at the schools you are applying to who all do related lines of research?

Schools I'm applying.
Phd Counseling

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
University of Notre Dame
University of Florida

Phd Clinical Psych

University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
American University
George Mason University
George Washington University
University of Delaware
Penn State University
Virginia Commonwealth University

I also have a couple of PsyD programs, but only as back-ups.

This is also a big range of schools. Some of these schools may think your experience is not in the direction they're looking for from students, since your CV is impressive but pretty research-focused. This goes back to the question about specific interests and match with faculty.

Also, have you gotten interviews, been waitlisted, or otherwise received feedback the other times you've applied?

 

[Tesseract18]

Hello.
This is my 5th year applying to the Clinical Psych Program. I'd love to know what I'm doing wrong. I took the GRE 8 times in order to raise my score, took a Kaplan Preparatory course and it hasn't helped. My first language is not English so that might be a problem, but if they filter me out by my score they don't even get to read my explanation in my personal statement. I assume that's why I haven't even gotten an interview.
Credentials:

Undergrad GPA: 3.89
Grad GPA: 3.78 (M.S. Neuroscience)
Psych GPA: 4.0

GRE: 1120; 5.0 Analytical

Research Experience: Undergraduate Honors Thesis; 2 years RA at Yale University school of Medicine; 2 Years Clinical Research Specialist at University of Baltimore; 1 poster presentation HBM; 1 oral presentation TBI symposium; 4 Journal articles (2- 2nd author 1-1st author)

Clinical Experience: Mental health Center; career counselor and extensive clinical day to day experience with the family of trauma patients in present position

I want to study mostly stress, anxiety and emotion.

Schools I'm applying.
Phd Counseling

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
University of Notre Dame
University of Florida

Phd Clinical Psych

University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
American University
George Mason University
George Washington University
University of Delaware
Penn State University
Virginia Commonwealth University

I also have a couple of PsyD programs, but only as back-ups.

Any help. I MEAN any help. would be appreciated.

Take Notre Dame's Counseling program off your list, they're phasing the program out and are no longer accepting students.

The clinical programs you've singled out for are SUPER competitive and hardcore research oriented. Frankly, even though you've got great research experience that GRE is going to likely hold you back with all of them UNLESS you have a GREAT fit with a professor and can outweigh that score in their mind BEFORE they go though all the applications (i.e. make a connection now through email/in-person based on mutual research interests). I think, to overcome that barrier in general, you'll need to make an impression in the minds of the people you want to work with so that they know to expect your application and are more impressed with your experience and demonstration of ability, fit, and interest than they are concerned about your test scores. Also, for the love of all that's good, PLEASE throw in some mid-tier programs because that clinical list you have now is all kinds of reaching for the moon. If you miss you'll want some potential stars to land on, if you know what I mean. Good luck!

 

[SkinnerPsych]

3.94 Overall GPA

4.0 Psych GPA

GRE Verbal - 590, Quant. - 560 - 1150

Undergrad Honors Thesis - Research

Strong Letters of Rec.

Is it even possible to get into grad school given my GRE score? If anyone has any insight into behavioral psych/ABA programs, that'd be great as well as insight into clin. psy. programs.

Thanks in advance.

 

[mylove]

Hi, htis question is for anyone already working in the feild as a clinician. I have been accepted into a PSyd program, evaluated the finanacial issues and am ready to finish my degree,but I have one issue I still need to address.
I am 53 and will be 58 when I finish this program. Are there any issues from hiring mangers to gaining employment as a Psychologist at that age?

Thanks

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Hi, htis question is for anyone already working in the feild as a clinician. I have been accepted into a PSyd program, evaluated the finanacial issues and am ready to finish my degree,but I have one issue I still need to address.
I am 53 and will be 58 when I finish this program. Are there any issues from hiring mangers to gaining employment as a Psychologist at that age?

Thanks

If you ask any hiring person on the record....no, off the record...yes. It very much depends on what kind of work you want to do day to day. I believe there are some 'official' limitations if you want to serve in the military or work for the Bureau of Prisons, but otherwise you shouldn't be officially excluded. The financial piece really needs to be examined because large debt can really hamper a person's ability to retire...ever. I know some 2nd career folks that have made the transition successfully, though they were able to complete their training with little to no debt. One secured great funding and the other had the financial means to cover the gap between tuition/living expenses and the limited funding she received. As a 2nd career person myself, I chose the less popular 3rd option...take a calculated risk involving debt acquisition with a plan to pay it down aggressively and/or do some contract work in my former career to pay it down. The 4th option is to try and marry rich, though that is a bit dicier.

 

[srl413]

I don't think going abroad would hurt your chances, but I would make sure your plan to stay involved in research/clinical work is feasible where you're going. Universities are structured very differently depending on the country and it may be substantially harder to get an in, even as a volunteer. Language competency may also be an issue if you are looking for clinical work. If you have a country picked out, and know that you can find opportunities there and deal with the language barrier, though, then go for it and have fun 🙂

Thanks! I'm think of a place that speaks english. Anyone else have any thoughts?

 

[beantownpsych]

Hello.
This is my 5th year applying to the Clinical Psych Program. I'd love to know what I'm doing wrong. I took the GRE 8 times in order to raise my score, took a Kaplan Preparatory course and it hasn't helped. My first language is not English so that might be a problem, but if they filter me out by my score they don't even get to read my explanation in my personal statement. I assume that's why I haven't even gotten an interview.
Credentials:

Undergrad GPA: 3.89
Grad GPA: 3.78 (M.S. Neuroscience)
Psych GPA: 4.0

GRE: 1120; 5.0 Analytical

Research Experience: Undergraduate Honors Thesis; 2 years RA at Yale University school of Medicine; 2 Years Clinical Research Specialist at University of Baltimore; 1 poster presentation HBM; 1 oral presentation TBI symposium; 4 Journal articles (2- 2nd author 1-1st author)

Clinical Experience: Mental health Center; career counselor and extensive clinical day to day experience with the family of trauma patients in present position

I want to study mostly stress, anxiety and emotion.

Schools I'm applying.
Phd Counseling

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
University of Notre Dame
University of Florida

Phd Clinical Psych

University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
American University
George Mason University
George Washington University
University of Delaware
Penn State University
Virginia Commonwealth University

I also have a couple of PsyD programs, but only as back-ups.

Any help. I MEAN any help. would be appreciated.

Frankly with your vita I'm surprised you haven't gotten interviews even with your GRE score. I would really take a look at your recommendations to make sure they aren't what's killing your chances. People will overlook the GRE given your publication record (I'm assuming these are peer-reviewed) but a bad or lukewarm recommendation won't be overlooked.

 

[neuroabigail]

my recommendations are all very good; they insist that I will be a great addition to their lab etc.

 

[neuroabigail]

Take Notre Dame's Counseling program off your list, they're phasing the program out and are no longer accepting students.

The clinical programs you've singled out for are SUPER competitive and hardcore research oriented. Frankly, even though you've got great research experience that GRE is going to likely hold you back with all of them UNLESS you have a GREAT fit with a professor and can outweigh that score in their mind BEFORE they go though all the applications (i.e. make a connection now through email/in-person based on mutual research interests). I think, to overcome that barrier in general, you'll need to make an impression in the minds of the people you want to work with so that they know to expect your application and are more impressed with your experience and demonstration of ability, fit, and interest than they are concerned about your test scores. Also, for the love of all that's good, PLEASE throw in some mid-tier programs because that clinical list you have now is all kinds of reaching for the moon. If you miss you'll want some potential stars to land on, if you know what I mean. Good luck!

Any suggestions for mid-tier schools?! i thought those WERE mid-tier!!

 

[neuroabigail]

That's a big set of topics. Are your research interests more focused? Are there specific people at the schools you are applying to who all do related lines of research?



This is also a big range of schools. Some of these schools may think your experience is not in the direction they're looking for from students, since your CV is impressive but pretty research-focused. This goes back to the question about specific interests and match with faculty.

Also, have you gotten interviews, been waitlisted, or otherwise received feedback the other times you've applied?

Big range indeed. I just want to get in! I have researched all these school's faculty and have common research interests with many. I have not received any feedback from my applications except a big SORRY you didn't get in. 🙁

 

[Brian1]

I posted before but I just took the GREs and did horrible...I got a 970 total.
146/147 I honestly don't know what happened....I hope I did well on my essays maybe that can compensate for a lower score?

here is what I had posted earlier


I recently graduated wit ha 3.59 GPA in a Clinical and Counseling Psychology Masters Program.
I took the GRE two years ago and scored a total of 860.
I have previous research exp, and currently I am a co-author for research that will be presented at a conference. I will soon start my own research which hopefully will be presented as well.

My ONLY issue is the GRES, like many people. So does the GRE matter a bit less for someone who has proven they can perform well at the graduate level?

Also, I am not applying to many schools that are under top 50 programs in the US, if that means anything.

Thanks!

 

[mewtoo]

I posted before but I just took the GREs and did horrible...I got a 970 total.
146/147 I honestly don't know what happened....I hope I did well on my essays maybe that can compensate for a lower score?

here is what I had posted earlier


I recently graduated wit ha 3.59 GPA in a Clinical and Counseling Psychology Masters Program.
I took the GRE two years ago and scored a total of 860.
I have previous research exp, and currently I am a co-author for research that will be presented at a conference. I will soon start my own research which hopefully will be presented as well.

My ONLY issue is the GRES, like many people. So does the GRE matter a bit less for someone who has proven they can perform well at the graduate level?

Also, I am not applying to many schools that are under top 50 programs in the US, if that means anything.

Thanks!

I'm pretty sure most programs don't even look at the writing scores. Also, from what I gather, it'll be hard to get past that GRE barrier even if you had many publications. And you are saying you are basically applying to all top-tier-ish schools (in reference to the top 50 comment you made)? A mid-tier may look at your app with that GRE score and that's a big fat may. You are best off applying to programs and POIs that have similar research interests that are mid-tier, but even then it may be hard to get past the GRE cutoff. I don't know how much more you studied, but since you raised it 100 points perhaps you can double your effort and hopefully go up another hundred at least? That will still be really low for most programs but definitely better. I'm in the same stinky GRE boat (1040) as you so I'm sharing info I've been told by others and gleaned from the board. Perhaps you should invest in a GRE course if you feel you can't raise it on your own anymore.

 

[Brian1]

I'm pretty sure most programs don't even look at the writing scores. Also, from what I gather, it'll be hard to get past that GRE barrier even if you had many publications. And you are saying you are basically applying to all top-tier-ish schools (in reference to the top 50 comment you made)? A mid-tier may look at your app with that GRE score and that's a big fat may. You are best off applying to programs and POIs that have similar research interests that are mid-tier, but even then it may be hard to get past the GRE cutoff. I don't know how much more you studied, but since you raised it 100 points perhaps you can double your effort and hopefully go up another hundred at least? That will still be really low for most programs but definitely better. I'm in the same stinky GRE boat (1040) as you so I'm sharing info I've been told by others and gleaned from the board. Perhaps you should invest in a GRE course if you feel you can't raise it on your own anymore.

Thanks.
I did take a course, complete robbery of my money.
I am only applying to professors who have similar interests, and I will tailor my essays to each professor very well. I have also contacted and will contact them again in 2 months. I will ask how much weight they put on the gre...surely no one professor gets more than 50 apps, so I am confident they will know of me and at least look at my app.